'Extremists' have valid Marcellus Shale concerns

Gov. Corbett, in a recent news conference regarding the flood, described the river waters as toxic. It also was reported that the waters were giving off a "toxic smell" of oil and gas. The governor issued warnings against coming into contact with floodwaters. He expressed concern for people's health and welfare.

The governor is to be applauded for his awareness of the issue and efforts to inform the citizens of the Susquehanna Valley.

On Sept. 7, I attended a rally in Philadelphia to issue a similar warning. The Shale Gas Outrage Rally seeks a moratorium on drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale. Attendees warn against toxic well waters from the process known as fracking.

Instead of supporting our efforts to protect the environment, we were ridiculed.
Aubrey McClendon, CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp., derided us as fear-mongering extremists. Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, paid $900,000 last year by the natural gas industry, stated that "We need to make sure that natural gas doesn't get squeezed by some phony hysteria ..."

It's not phony hysteria to see one's water supply contaminated by chemicals. It's not phony hysteria to see one's groundwater siphoned away for use by people with no vested interest in our communities, who do not live here and whose earnings will be taken to other states.